The Life of Yahya Ibn ‘Adi: A Famous Christian Philosopher of Baghdad

Mohd. Nasir Omar

Abstract

Among Christian translators who especially distinguished themselves in the 10th/11th century Baghdad were Yahya Ibn ‘Adi (d.974), Ibn Zur‘ah (d.1008), Ibn al-Khammar (d.1017) and Abu ‘Ali al-Samh (d.1027). Some of these Christians were no longer relying on the Caliphs or other patrons of learning, but often found their own means of living which in turn prolonged their own academic interest. Consequently, some of them were no mere translators any more, but genuine scholars. The chief architect among them was Yahya Ibn ‘Adi. He was not only the leader of his group but was also dubbed as the best Christian translator, logician and theologian of his times. This is justified, in addition, by his ample productivity in those fields of enquiry. A considerable number of such works have evidently been used by contemporary and later writers, and have also reached us today. Hence we consider that it is in these aspects that his distinctive contributions to scholarship lie, and therefore he deserves more serious study. Thus, this qualitative study which uses content analysis method seeks to introduce Yahya Ibn ‘Adi in terms of his history, life, career, education and writings.

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